By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Adventure
Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin (SD 06-AdventureSportsDCT) vs KTM 1090 Adventure R (MY2017)
Roll on the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin's throttle and it growls, and there's strong pull that's waiting right in the middle of the range. The KTM 1090 Adventure R's throttle stays manageable low down, but the V-twin won't stop pulling as the revs climb. It keeps building into a top-end rush.
So which one do you buy?
The CRF1000L Africa Twin has the edge if…
Comfortable long-distance riding
Nose ahead: CRF1000L Africa Twin
On a long day in the saddle, the CRF1000L Africa Twin comes out a little ahead. The difference is more range per tank and a smoother engine. Ride both before you decide.
Keeping running costs low
By a nose: CRF1000L Africa Twin
Day to day, the CRF1000L Africa Twin works out slightly cheaper to own. The saving is small.
Daily commuting & city riding
Narrow edge: CRF1000L Africa Twin
The CRF1000L Africa Twin makes slightly more sense as a commuter. Don't read much into a gap this small.
The 1090 Adventure R has the edge if…
Real off-road capability
Slight edge: 1090 Adventure R
Off-road ability leans slightly toward the 1090 Adventure R. Credit more suspension adjustment and more low-end pull. It's a narrow gap, so don't plan a trip around it.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Small edge: 1090 Adventure R
The 1090 Adventure R nudges ahead once the pavement starts to wiggle. What tips it: harder acceleration and better suspension. Don't expect a night-and-day difference.
Which one's the smarter buy
No clear winner on value
Neither bike is the clear better buy at these used prices. The KTM 1090 Adventure R costs less, but that doesn't make it the smarter spend.
What makes each one tick
CRF1000L Africa Twin
On gravel and dirt, the Africa Twin's light and narrow, and the compact engine doesn't let it feel cumbersome. The suspension doesn't flinch over broken pavement. There's no wrestling the wide bars at corner entry. The front tips straight in.
1090 Adventure R
On a tight, technical trail, the Adventure R's light enough to flick between ruts like an oversized enduro. A hard squeeze of the brake lever before a steep drop won't unsettle the WP fork. The fork settles and holds. The PDS shock keeps the rear tire tracking over rock.
Nils rode the 1090 Adventure R in Austria in 2017 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 1090 Adventure R has the lower seat: 35.0 in (889 mm) vs 36.2 in (920 mm).
- The 1090 Adventure R makes more peak power: 124 hp (91 kW) vs 95 hp (70 kW).
- The 1090 Adventure R makes more peak torque: 80 lb-ft (108 Nm) vs 72 lb-ft (98 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
CRF1000L Africa Twin
What owners say
Strengths
- Comfortable all‑day riding position
- Genuine off‑road capability with a light, narrow feel
- Smooth, characterful parallel‑twin engine
Trade-offs
- Finished marred by rust on early models
- DCT can be dim‑witted at slow speeds
- Noticeably down on power compared to European rivals
- Basic suspension lacks electronic adjustment
- Inadequate wind protection at highway speeds
1090 Adventure R
What owners say
Strengths
- Exceptional off-road suspension and handling
- Lightweight and nimble for its class
- Powerful yet manageable engine
Known problems to check before you buy
CRF1000L Africa Twin
- Switch cluster failures Sticky or corroded switchgear causes intermittent faults including DCT error codes, headlight failure and starting problems. Cleaning or replacing the clusters is usually the cure.
- Premature wheel bearing wear Rear wheel bearings can fail as early as 9,300 mi (15,000 km) when the bike is subjected to regular off‑road use, requiring replacement.
- Spoke and fastener corrosion Nickel‑plated spokes on early models rust quickly, especially after off‑road use; some frames also show surface rust. Often requires wheel rebuilds or replacement.
1090 Adventure R
- Continental TKC80 tire tread cracking (22V-588) Recall 22V588000 Affects 2019 models equipped with TKC80 tires. Tires may develop superficial cracking in tread grooves. Recall involves tire replacement.
- Airbox sealing / intake issues Poor airbox sealing can allow unfiltered air into the engine.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 7-year-old CRF1000L Africa Twin with a 7-year-old 1090 Adventure R.
- CRF1000L Africa Twin
- about $10,000
- 1090 Adventure R
- about $7,900
At seven years old, the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin sits around $10,000 while the KTM 1090 Adventure R lands near $7,900. That puts the KTM 1090 Adventure R about $2,100 cheaper. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 90/90-21
- Rear tire
- 150/70-18
Where the spec sheets split
| CRF1000L Africa Twin | 1090 Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 36.2 in (920 mm) | 35.0 in (889 mm) |
| CRF1000L Africa Twin | 1090 Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 998 cc | 1050 cc |
| Engine | Parallel twin | 75° V-twin |
| Power | 95 hp (70 kW) | 124 hp (91 kW) |
| Peak power at | 7,500 rpm | 8,500 rpm |
| Torque | 72 lb-ft (98 Nm) | 80 lb-ft (108 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 6,000 rpm | 6,500 rpm |
| CRF1000L Africa Twin | 1090 Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 6.4 US gal (24.2 L) | 6.1 US gal (23 L) |
| CRF1000L Africa Twin | 1090 Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Ground clearance | 10.6 in (270 mm) | 9.8 in (249 mm) |
| Front travel | 9.9 in (252 mm) | 8.7 in (220 mm) |
| Rear travel | 9.4 in (240 mm) | 8.7 in (220 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| CRF1000L Africa Twin | 1090 Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Slipper Clutch | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
